Saxophone Surgery
Our lead technician, Ed Fleming’s reputation as a
top sax repair technician is growing quickly. Jazz professionals, Symphony
caliber players and University Professors & students from, not only the
Houston area, but from all over the United States and Canada are discovering
just how easily their horns are capable of responding.
Ed combines his vast experience and some special techniques to
produce saxes that simply play beautifully. The entire range of the instrument
delivers whatever the player asks of it. Ed specializes in giving his saxes a
"feel" that is extremely comfortable, making them a joy to play. Before doing
any work on an instrument, Ed discusses with each client in detail what will be
done and the cost involved, while taking into consideration how he or she wants
their horn to respond.
Here's what Ed does on his Professional Level Overhauls/Major Surgeries:
Removes all key corks and pads, Removes and inspects all keys,
Replaces all key corks, Cleans interior and exterior body surfaces and all key
work, Replaces and properly levels all pads, Replaces the neck cork to make the
client's personal mouthpiece fit snugly and evenly the entire length of the
cork, Aligns and centers all key cups, Balances and equalizes spring tensions -
also to the client's playing preference, Calibrates all key heights and openings
to facilitate maximum tuning accuracy and playing responsiveness, Calibrates all
key work to ensure maximum allowable travel tolerances, Custom fits all key
work; swedges and /or straightens keys as necessary to allow tight fit to the
body of the instrument - which quiets the key work, Matches keys and rods for
free flowing action, Inspects all body surfaces - exterior and interior,
Inspects and cleans octave tube, Inspects and replaces needle springs and flat
springs as necessary, Levels tone holes as needed, Removes all lost motion
between key adjustments, Oils all key work, Play tests Instrument to ensure ease
of playing and balance throughout all ranges.
Special techniques are utilized throughout the entire range to give
each instrument a special "feel" that set it apart from ordinary instruments.
|